Tooth-separator



(No Model.)

W. S. ELLIOTT. TOOTH SBP ARATI'OR.

No. 426,253. Patented Apr. 22, 1890.

G) 2253i; 4/ g QQI'NVENTOFS; 7 a Q g j 4 BY TTORNEYS.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VALTER S. ELLIOTT, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES \V. IVORY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOOTH -SEPARATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 426,253, dated April 22, 1890.

Application filed April 20, 1889. Serial No.307,959. (N model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WALTER S. ELLIOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Hartford, State of Gennecticut, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Tooth Separators, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for conveniently and elfectually separating teeth during dental operation thereon; and. it consists in constructing the same of spring-arms provided with jaws and working in a yoke havinga regulating-screw, as herein I 5 described.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a tooth-separatin g apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view thereof. Fig. 4. represents a longitudinal section thereof on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 rep resents a perspective View of the jaws of the apparatus on an enlarged scale, showing also a rubber dam in position. Fig. 6 represents 2 5 a perspective view of one of the jaws on an enlarged scale.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates two wedge-shaped or tapering jaws, which point inwardly or toward each other and are connected with arms B, pivoted together and having bearing against them a spring C for causing the separation of said jaws. D designates a yoke, which is of the form of a bar or rod having slots, through which the arms 13 are freely passed, and carrying a screw E, which is fitted in either end of the yoke and adapted to bear against one of the arms, whereby by properly rotatin g said screw the arms may be forced toward each other and the jaws accordingly closed.

The operation is as follows: The jaws are presented in position between adjacent teeth and the screw is rotated, whereby the former are gradually closed or advanced toward each other, and as their inclined or tapering sides ride against the teeth the latter are distended or separated in a convenient and effective manner. \Vhen a rubber dam is applied in position, the jaws may be employed for holding the same back from the teeth, as will be seen in Fig. 5.

The jaws have beveled edges, as at F,whereby they take better or firmer hold on the teeth 5 5 and are prevented from slipping thereon.

It is evident that as the screw is applicable to either end of the yoke D the apparatus is readily adapted for right and left hand purposes.

I am aware that it is not new to construct a device for the purpose named consisting of spring actuated arms and having a screw passing through one arm and bearing against the other 5 but I am not aware that it is commen to employ a yoke having slots in which the arms are guided, the said yoke being provided with a screw adapted to bear against one of said arms. By this construction the arms are not weakened by being perforated, and the yoke serves as a guard and brace for the arms.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tooth-separator consisting of two arms pivotally connected and provided with a spring adapted to separate the same, jaws at the ends of said arms, a yoke in which said arms are guided, and a screw fitted to either end of the yoke and adapted to bear against one of said arms, said parts being combined substantially as described.

2. A tooth-separator consisting of springjaws having beveled or knife edges, as de scribed, a slotted yoke in which said jaws work, and a screw working in said yoke and against the outer edge of one of said jaws, said parts being combined substantiallyas described.

\VALTER ELLIOTT.

\Vitncsses:

C. G. DiLLs, F. C. Horcnmss. 

